Answers

Q:

Have you heard the expression

A:

I know many churches have experienced similar debates in recent years because of new styles of worship and music. I’m not a musician, of course, but I’m grateful that God has raised up a new generation of composers and musicians who point us to Christ.

That doesn’t mean we should throw out what previous generations have done, however — not at all. If I were a pastor today, I’d probably try to avoid making sudden, radical changes that might cause some to feel they were being ignored or put down. The Bible says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

I actually hear less today about these so-called “worship wars” than I did a few years ago; many churches seem to have found ways to bridge the gap between older and newer styles of worship. Some, for example, try to blend the old with the new in their services. Larger churches often have two services — one traditional and one contemporary. Encourage your church’s leadership to explore all options — not just for your sake, but for the sake of the whole congregation, including your youth.

Before you consider changing churches, look beyond this issue to a more important question: Can you grow spiritually through this church’s activities? Is Jesus Christ and His Word, the Bible, at its center? Does it offer opportunities for service? The Bible says, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).

69 Comments

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. –Colossians 3:16 NKJV Contemporary music are spiritual songs.

Thanks for your good advice, Dr. Graham. I am of the older generation who grew up on the old hymns and still dearly love them. Now I am in a church which uses almost all contemporary music, and I enjoy seeing how the people worship God through it.

We recently left a church whose music was so loud and often off key that it was literally painful to the ears. We were the last of the congregation over 40 to remain. We enjoy both contemporary and hymns, but performed at a reasonable volume.

True worship comes from a person's heart. I believe the music should be beautiful, as it is an extension from our heart to praise a wonderful Savior. Sadly, I believe people have allowed “beautiful music” to have too many classifications.

So many churches just want to cater to young. We do need to remember the older generations as well. After all, when Jesus asked Peter in John 21, “Do you love Me?” Jesus instructed him to “Feed My lambs… Tend My sheep …Feed My sheep.”

I have tried going to the churches with the new music because there are no longer any traditional churches in my area. I always feel like I made a wrong turn and ended up at a rock concert instead of a church. Sadly, I no longer attend church.

The music was intended to worship God, so it doesn't really matter what is my taste for music, its not about me, ist about Him, so I recommend to stick with the old hymns, psalms and spiritual songs that glorify God and move the spirit, not the fles